“We applaud Minnesota Farmers Union for their role in producing Farm Fresh Road Trip, a program that will help connect the consumer to the producer while highlighting the local food movement,” says NFU President Roger Johnson. “This is a wonderful way to reach out to the greater public and bring the issue of family farming and benefits of buying local to the forefront.”

Farm Fresh Road Trip is nominated in the category: Lifestyle-Program/Special/Series. It is in competition for the Emmy® with four other programs from Iowa Public Television; WCCO-TV, Minnesota; WQOW-TV, Wisconsin; WHO-TV, Iowa. The final determination as to which program wins the Emmy® is announced on Sept. 13, 2014.

The show demonstrates how respected local farmers working with premier Minnesota chefs can provide wonderful local food meals at both restaurants and at home. It helps connect all of us with the bounty of Minnesota’s harvests and helps make connections with the farmers on the land who grow our food.

The nomination was announced just over one week prior to Minnesota Cooks day at the Minnesota State Fair, a one-day event with similar goals to Farm Fresh Road Trip: to connect households, restaurants and economies with locally produced foods. Johnson, who took part in the Minnesota Cooks’ festivities at the fair on Sunday, noted the importance buying from local producers and educating the public.

“This is a wonderful example of how grass-roots organizations can directly reach consumers and promote a better understanding of farming, farm families and food production in general,” said Johnson. “MFU has done a wonderful job partnering with public television and getting this quality show produced,” he said.

The Emmy® nomination includes Twin Cities Public Television’s host, crew and leadership, MFU President Doug Peterson, and MFU Minnesota Cooks™ Director, Bruce Miller, as Producing Partners. All the people listed on the nomination are eligible for a Nomination Plaque honoring their work; and should the program be the final recipient, all are also eligible for an Emmy® statue.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership. -30-